Fightin' The Blues

By rick1959

2 min read

Most times, I'm a happy-go-lucky guy, quick with a joke and smile. Some days the grind gets to me. Mostly on the holidays that I used to love to party on! I've been 24/7 O2 for a couple years now; I always joke that I can't travel further than my hose - and traveling half that distance is frankly hard some days.

Memorial Day

All I want to do today, Memorial Day, is fire up the grill, get the beers on ice, play horseshoes and shoot the bull with old friends but...I'm not allowed to grill because my oxygen might catch fire. Besides, it's honestly too much walking for me. And old friends are leery of death and dying. I understand that, I was too.

My caregiver

Thank God my wife and caregiver has managed to build a bit of a life - she's made friends and has places to go and it's almost like she has a normal life. That is the golden sun in my life - I know it's hard, I try to be as self sufficient as I can, but normal people need normal things.

A little blue

I can't take anti depressants; they make me suicidal(!). I generally don't need them. I drink beer, I still work a little from home on the old computer, I have friends but I fail to invite them over - most of them are active and it's funny for them, in an uncomfortable way, but I know they love me. So, today is a wee bit blue. Tomorrow, I'll be back to my old form - inappropriate jokes and all!

Focus on the positive

My point is, some days you get low but most days, you can make your own high. Focus on the positive! If you can't shake a low day, have a couple beers, watch a ballgame, and nap. Napping is a new thing for me. I thought life couldn't go on without me; if I was asleep, I might miss something. Life doesn't need me to be there after all! It goes on, everywhere, whether I'm asleep or awake.
I can always catch the reruns anyway.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi <inline-mention username="rick1959" user-id="6123275"/>, and thank you for sharing your story here. I hear you! You have certainly come to the right community. This entire community is comprised of folks who understand how you feel and know exactly what you are going through, so you are definitely not alone. You've made some excellent points as you've shared your own personal experiences managing this disease with the community. With COPD, some days tend to be better than others. If one can be patient with the 'off' days, there cab be a better day coming as soon as the next day! Keeping a positive attitude and maintaining a 'can do' approach can go a long way towards managing this disease. Having a strong support system at home is an enormous advantage for living with and managing one's COPD. It is reassuring to know that your wife is there with you in that regard. "Golden sun" - what a wonderful way to describe her as a part of your life! It sounds like you have a good understanding of how this all works! If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here! All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="rick1959" user-id="6123275"/> ! Thank you for sharing with us. Just know you're not alone. I think we all have our down days. I know I do. I just know I can't stay there long. I enjoy my beer from time to time also but hate the fact that it makes me bloated and harder to breathe. 🥹 Have you ever thought about having your buddies over to watch a game and drink some beers? You'll never know how it goes until you try. 🤷‍♀️ Maybe you'll find out that is something that you all need. They are probably missing you as much as you are them. Thanks again for sharing! Best, Jackie (Moderator)
Psmac Member
 <inline-mention username="rick1959" user-id="6123275"/> - thanks for sharing. Your post gave me a few chuckles and made me smile these past few days. It’s posts like this that help me through another day! Enjoy your beers, your naps and keep on smiling!!